it was acquiring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was acquiring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past action or process of gaining or obtaining something, typically in a context related to knowledge, skills, or assets. Example: "During the project, it was acquiring new technologies that significantly improved our efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It made an announcement that it was acquiring a bank.

The New York Times

I.B.M. said it would buy Q1 Labs and Intel's McAfee announced it was acquiring NitroSecurity.

The New York Times

Sometimes Shanduka borrowed the money directly from the company whose shares it was acquiring.

The New York Times - Magazine

Consider the dispute after British Petroleum announced in August that it was acquiring the Amoco Corporation.

The New York Times

Hilton said last week that it was acquiring the Hilton Group for $5.7 billion.

The New York Times

In each case, the Garden knew it was acquiring damaged goods.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

In 1986 it was acquired by Republic National Bank.

The New York Times - Arts

It was acquired by AOL Time Warner in 1999.

The New York Times

It was acquired in 2004 by Metavante Banking Solutions.

The New York Times

It was acquired by General Electric Company Ltd. of England in 1981.

The New York Times - Health

It was acquired by Intercapital, which later merged with Garban.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was acquiring" to describe a past, ongoing process of obtaining something, especially when referring to skills, knowledge, or assets. For instance, "During the training, it was acquiring proficiency in data analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "it was acquiring" to describe a completed action. Instead, use "it acquired" when the process of acquisition is finished. For example, say "it acquired the company" not "it was acquiring the company" if the acquisition is complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was acquiring" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. According to Ludwig, this construction describes an ongoing action of obtaining or gaining something. The examples show it frequently used to describe companies obtaining other companies, but also of people obtaining characteristics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was acquiring" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a past, continuous action of gaining or obtaining something. According to Ludwig, it's commonly used in contexts such as news and media, and formal business settings. The phrase indicates an ongoing process rather than a completed action, differentiating it from "it acquired". To avoid misuse, ensure that you use "it was acquiring" to represent actions still in progress at a point in the past, not ones that had been completed. Substitute it with alternative phrases like "it was obtaining" or "it was gaining" for nuanced meaning. Overall, Ludwig’s analysis confirms its utility and correctness in describing past, continuous acquisitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was obtaining

Replaces "acquiring" with "obtaining", focusing on the act of getting something.

it was gaining

Substitutes "acquiring" with "gaining", highlighting the process of increasing or accumulating something.

it was securing

Uses "securing" instead of "acquiring", emphasizing the act of making something safe or certain.

it was getting

Replaces "acquiring" with "getting", a more informal way of saying obtaining.

it was developing

Substitutes "acquiring" with "developing", emphasizing the growth or evolution of something.

it was assuming

Uses "assuming" instead of "acquiring", highlighting the act of taking on a responsibility or role.

it was taking over

Replaces "acquiring" with "taking over", focusing on gaining control of something.

it was coming to possess

Substitutes "acquiring" with a more formal phrase, emphasizing the act of gaining ownership.

it was in the process of acquiring

Adds "in the process of" to emphasize that the action is ongoing.

it found itself acquiring

Emphasizes the accidental or unintentional nature of the acquisition.

FAQs

How can I use "it was acquiring" in a sentence?

Use "it was acquiring" to describe a continuous process of gaining or obtaining something in the past. For example, "The company said "it was acquiring" new customers through its marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "it was acquiring"?

You can use alternatives like "it was obtaining", "it was gaining", or "it was securing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "it was acquiring" and "it acquired"?

"It was acquiring" describes an ongoing process in the past, while "it acquired" indicates a completed action. For example, "It was acquiring skills during the training" (ongoing), versus "It acquired the necessary skills" (completed).

Is it formal to use "it was acquiring"?

The phrase "it was acquiring" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as shown by its use in news articles, business reports, and general writing. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.